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Author
Topic: Interesting idea for a thread. (Read 35947 times)

I am a retired Police Officer and was thinking of starting a thread called Ask a Police Officer wondering what your thoughts on this might be. I often run into people while surfing and if the topic comes up of what we do for a living or what we used to do people are surprised to find out that I was a Police Officer for quite some time, following their shock I normally get hit with a couple of questions that they might have been afraid to ask to an Officer in uniform, so why not help the people on this forum that help me with questions I have, interested to hear some feedback.

Say I'm driving down the highway with Lynard Skynard's Free Bird playing on the stereo, when I notice a police car driving up on my bumper. I'm going the speed limit and have my seat belt on. Is it ok for me to give him a fierce brake check to get him off my bumper?

Say I'm driving down the highway with Lynard Skynard's Free Bird playing on the stereo, when I notice a police car driving up on my bumper. I'm going the speed limit and have my seat belt on. Is it ok for me to give him a fierce brake check to get him off my bumper?

Law enforcement officers frequently interact with people who have mental health problems, particularly when serving custody orders for involuntary commitment. What kind of training do police officers receive in regards to assisting people with mental health problems?

What's your opinion of doing away with all local police agencies and replacing them with one national police force? Since the US government currently provides little to no assistance to run local police departments, police agencies in the US vary greatly, mostly depending on their local communities wealth. Whereas the police department where I live can afford to operate unmanned drones, gunshot detectors, and staff thousands of police officers who have training in mental health and other complex issues, an agency in Alabama (just an example) usually runs underfunded, low education levels, and short staffed on antiquated equipment with little training. Doesn't make much sense does it?

Law enforcement officers frequently interact with people who have mental health problems, particularly when serving custody orders for involuntary commitment. What kind of training do police officers receive in regards to assisting people with mental health problems?

In California all Police agencies are governed by P.O.S.T (Police Officers Standard of Training). POST is who indicates what changes should be made for Academy training as well as after Officers graduate. My time with the Police Department we received regular training from the Mental Health Departments as well as our own Psychology Dept. on what to look for when assessing a situation with a mentally challenged or troubled individual. The training Officers are receiving now also involves how to deal with Veterans returning from Iraq & Afghanistan. In the State of California we are allowed to take individuals into custody for a 72 hold under 5150 WIC (Welfare & Institutions Code) to have them evaluated by professionals if certain criteria are met.

What's your opinion of doing away with all local police agencies and replacing them with one national police force? Since the US government currently provides little to no assistance to run local police departments, police agencies in the US vary greatly, mostly depending on their local communities wealth. Whereas the police department where I live can afford to operate unmanned drones, gunshot detectors, and staff thousands of police officers who have training in mental health and other complex issues, an agency in Alabama (just an example) usually runs underfunded, low education levels, and short staffed on antiquated equipment with little training. Doesn't make much sense does it?

I am 100% against a National Police force and 100% against using unmanned drones to servile as just a general practice. My time with the Police Department we received plenty of money from the US Government to hire new Officers, buy new equipment and received various forms of training. I am not sure why the Police Dept. in the area you live is so undermanned I am guessing that is poor budgeting on their part.

The thought of a national police force is a scary ass proposition to consider if you ask me , and good luck with the less government / more states rights groups when debating this issue . If you wanted to start a bunch of shit with some of those crackpot state militia's I cant think of better way to take a swing at the hornets nest .

I'm a progressive and for the most part am not frightend by federal programs but I don't think I would consider this a progressive idea .

I say a BIG HELL NO to a national police force. Local police are able to do their jobs based on the needs of the community they serve (well, with some state and federal guidelines thown in, no doubt).My father is a retired police commander in the city I grew up in, my brother is a former police officer and my step-brother is a current officer. I grew up around the local police (and had a few run ins with them).Additionally -- (STEREOTYPE ALERT) -- I worked at a local donut shop while in high school that was down the street from the police station and they all frequented the shop (stereotypes are often based in truth) -- I got to know them all. There were some "questionable" ones, but for the most part they were all dedicated and concerned for the welfare of the citizens.To this day -- I respect the police -- am not afraid when they are behind me on the road, as I tend to obey traffic laws at this stage of my life. They are all their to help and protect.Mike

I say a BIG HELL NO to a national police force. Local police are able to do their jobs based on the needs of the community they serve (well, with some state and federal guidelines thown in, no doubt).My father is a retired police commander in the city I grew up in, my brother is a former police officer and my step-brother is a current officer. I grew up around the local police (and had a few run ins with them).Additionally -- (STEREOTYPE ALERT) -- I worked at a local donut shop while in high school that was down the street from the police station and they all frequented the shop (stereotypes are often based in truth) -- I got to know them all. There were some "questionable" ones, but for the most part they were all dedicated and concerned for the welfare of the citizens.To this day -- I respect the police -- am not afraid when they are behind me on the road, as I tend to obey traffic laws at this stage of my life. They are all their to help and protect.Mike

I remember the 1st time I was involved in warrant service. For those who do not know warrants are served early in the morning because unless given prior approval by a Judge you cannot serve a warrant at night. So we arrived at the roll call room at 3am to serve the warrant at 4am and there must of been 6 dozens donuts laid out for us to eat, I laughed to myself.

I remember the 1st time I was involved in warrant service. For those who do not know warrants are served early in the morning because unless given prior approval by a Judge you cannot serve a warrant at night. So we arrived at the roll call room at 3am to serve the warrant at 4am and there must of been 6 dozens donuts laid out for us to eat, I laughed to myself.

I know, right!I do have to say though -- they really were great to know. They never had to pay for their coffee and donuts (owner's rule). On my last shift before I left for college -- I got a $500 gift from the police -- a collection taken without my Dad's knowledge. That was 30 yrs ago, so $500 was a pretty big final "tip" for me.

I know, right!I do have to say though -- they really were great to know. They never had to pay for their coffee and donuts (owner's rule). On my last shift before I left for college -- I got a $500 gift from the police -- a collection taken without my Dad's knowledge. That was 30 yrs ago, so $500 was a pretty big final "tip" for me.

Mike

That is a lot of money today, 30 years ago that was a BUNCH of $$$. We used to get discounts everywhere we went, when you get a discount you better tip really really well.

Is it legal for police officers to accept discounts? I know in NYC it's not. Sounds like a can of worms if you ask me.

I know many gas stations give discounts or free items, because they want police there late at night. And, I've known of a few officers getting huge discounts at high-end apartments--apartments they could not afford on a police salary, especially being single without a 2nd income. I guess the thinking is they want an officer or two living there. I have no idea whether the department sanctions this, or whether it is done on the DL.

My partner gets a 10% firefighter discount at a few fast food restaurants. 10% off a Blizzard. That's what I'm talking about!

I think my apartment complex offers a steep discount for police officers who are willing to either A) park a marked car in the parking lot and/or B) offer to be on call sometimes in addition to the regular security.

Personally I am glad. Back in the day, my place used to have some seedy stuff going on in the parking lot on weekends.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

Did I advocate for a national police force anywhere in this thread, Oh Wise Bocker? Hopefully you can pinpoint the phrase where I did so.

Paranoid much? Mike was using what you said as an example of why a national police force is not such a good idea, not as proof that you were advocating for a national police force. Maybe you need more coffee this morning?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Paranoid much? Mike was using what you said as an example of why a national police force is not such a good idea, not as proof that you were advocating for a national police force. Maybe you need more coffee this morning?

Oh, I'm sure if it becomes necessary we can make those donuts illegal for police forces without making a national police force. It's a slippery slope as we can already see in this thread. Those donuts morph into discounted apartments, then they're taking bribes to overlook the meth manufacturing lab in Apartment 1-B, and soon we have Mexico-scale corruption necessitating a drug war domestically, financed by the Chinese because... well, you know raising taxes is rather unseemly.

At least those wretched New Yorkers have some sort of ethics and have put an end to this behavior, setting a standard for the nation along with lowering smoking rates and the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup.

So what freebies do the police get in bustling Douglas? I bet it's those filthy pickled eggs at the pub.

btw, in some ways (but not all) the US already has a national police force. Just look at the history of the US Marshals Service. How do you think those horrible Yankees were able to tame the illegal actions of Southerners during the civil rights era abuses? Or crack down on smugglers during Prohibition, when every local police force was corrupt (from a form of free donuts no less!). It's a pretty well established fact that when the going gets really tough, the federal government will step in with a full assist from the judiciary and there's not a fucking thing you local yokels can do about it.

So what freebies do the police get in bustling Douglas? I bet it's those filthy pickled eggs at the pub.

I honestly haven't a clue. The police generally keep a low profile here except during TT and to a lesser extent, during the Gran Prix. I've been mulling this over for the past 15 minutes and I can't recall ever seeing a copper in a restaurant, bakery (we are doughnut-shopless) or cafe - not while in uniform, anyway.

The only time I can remember seeing a uniformed copper in a pub is at the weekends (nights) when they do a walk-thru of most of the pubs, but they don't stop to chat, much less eat filthy pickled eggs. (I haven't seen a jar of pickled eggs on a bar in YEARS. I have a feeling EU health and safety may have outlawed them.) They do the walk-thru thing at the weekend just to remind people that they're lurking around town and will be there in a flash if a fight breaks out or if someone decides to take a piss in a doorway.

In Peel, our police station boasts a sergeant , an inspector, 13 constables and 4 special constabulary (volunteers). They still wear those silly helmets - I think we're the last police force in the UK to still have them.

The inspector gets to wear a normal hat. Oh, and we're the only one who have the silly helmets in white. All the other forces used to use navy blue or black.

Anyway, I don't know much of what goes on in Douglas. I rarely get out of Peel these days. Sometimes if it weren't for my quarterly trips to Liverpool for hiv clinic, I'd probably go six months or more at a time without leaving the West.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I wish! I haven't had a car in over fifteen years (can't afford one) and is one of the reasons I rarely get out of Peel. I have a bus pass, but there's not much in Douglas (or elsewhere) that I can't get here.

Although saying that, a mate just rang me wanting me to accompany him to the island's one and only DIY store, on the outskirts of Douglas, to advise him on what paint to buy. Such excitement!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Yes, it's a great little car. There aren't too many still in existence though.

I'm near you in not having my own car in 21 years, but I've been the designated driver of a few boats I've worked on because I was the only crew member who wasn't banned from driving. I always got the car by default. I didn't own them though.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Seroconverted: Early 80sTested & confirmed what I already knew: early 90s

Current regimen: Atripla. Last regimen: Epzicom, Sustiva (since its inception with NO adverse side effects: no vivid dreams and NONE of the problems people who can't tolerate this drug may experience: color me lucky )Past regimensFun stuff (in the past): HAV/HBV, crypto, shingles, AIDS, PCP

Is it legal for police officers to accept discounts? I know in NYC it's not. Sounds like a can of worms if you ask me.

I have been out of town for a few days I will try and review and see what questions I missed.

Technically it is not within Department policy for any employee Civilian or Sworn to accept a discount of food or other items but it happens every day anyway. 7/11ís give out free coffee & water because they want Officers hanging out in their parking lot at night. I remember Best Buy used to sell us any product in their store for cost which means you got to purchase products before the markup. When Best Buy still had that discount for Officers I purchased a brand new Stove, Refrigerator & stacked washer/dryer including the extended 3 year warranty for under $1,000 retail it was probably $3,500.

I think my apartment complex offers a steep discount for police officers who are willing to either A) park a marked car in the parking lot and/or B) offer to be on call sometimes in addition to the regular security.

Personally I am glad. Back in the day, my place used to have some seedy stuff going on in the parking lot on weekends.

There is still a program in place through HUG where Officers can purchase homes for 50% the only requirement is the house has to be not in the greatest of areas and you have to live there for 3 years before selling. I have heard about Officers getting discounts for Apartment Complex as well. I am not sure I would want the management Office knowing what I did for living let alone the neighbors.

Do horny people of all genders and sexualities often try to seduce police officers? How often would you say police officers are sexually harassed by the public?

It happens everyday. I have been hit on by men & women of all ages. I even had a woman grab my junk once. When it comes down to trying to get out of a ticker and/or going to jail people will do just about anything.

I have been out of town for a few days I will try and review and see what questions I missed.

Technically it is not within Department policy for any employee Civilian or Sworn to accept a discount of food or other items but it happens every day anyway. 7/11ís give out free coffee & water because they want Officers hanging out in their parking lot at night. I remember Best Buy used to sell us any product in their store for cost which means you got to purchase products before the markup. When Best Buy still had that discount for Officers I purchased a brand new Stove, Refrigerator & stacked washer/dryer including the extended 3 year warranty for under $1,000 retail it was probably $3,500.

It happens everyday. I have been hit on by men & women of all ages. I even had a woman grab my junk once. When it comes down to trying to get out of a ticker and/or going to jail people will do just about anything.

Soliciting a law enforcement officer for sex just seems so incredibly stupid I am surprised it happens so often.

I do not believe that is corruption at all, you are simply taking advantage of a benefit that is in place. Is it corruption for Verizon to give 25% off of a phone bill? Or a restaurant to give you 50% that is in a high crime area? Especially when the waitress knows he/she is going to get a 50%-60% tip? I believe the word corruption should be used when someone is getting a bribe to look the other way.

Soliciting a law enforcement officer for sex just seems so incredibly stupid I am surprised it happens so often.

Gymrat,

At all of our Police Station ATM's are located in the lobby so people come and go all time of day/night. A good looking man or woman may come to use the ATM to or from the Club and often hookup with Officers right there in the Station and sometimes get it on inside of the Police Station, Police car or parked along side the Police Station. If you think Officers are bad Fire Fighters are WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY worse.

I do not believe that is corruption at all, you are simply taking advantage of a benefit that is in place. Is it corruption for Verizon to give 25% off of a phone bill? Or a restaurant to give you 50% that is in a high crime area? Especially when the waitress knows he/she is going to get a 50%-60% tip? I believe the word corruption should be used when someone is getting a bribe to look the other way.

Except that police officers are not private company employees. They are government employees who are tasked with providing service to everyone. The reason this sort of thing is ALREADY Illegal is what are these businesses that are giving you free shit expecting? A faster police response when they call? What about the business that pays its taxes but cant afford to give you free shit, do they get less service?

Comparing police to verizon or any other private business employee isnt valid. This is why what you are describing IS illegal in most places and why the punlic generally distrusts the police.

Where were u a police officer anyway? Im sure they wouldnt agree with you.

The most common argument for the "no gratuity" policy is the slippery slope argument. The acceptance of even the smallest benefit will start an inevitable slide toward serious corruption. The only difference in accepting a cup of coffee or $1000 (in unmarked twenties) is the degree of wrongness. Once an officer gets in the habit of receiving things for free, it is easier to accept a large bribe.

Except that police officers are not private company employees. They are government employees who are tasked with providing service to everyone. The reason this sort of thing is ALREADY Illegal is what are these businesses that are giving you free shit expecting? A faster police response when they call? What about the business that pays its taxes but cant afford to give you free shit, do they get less service?

Comparing police to verizon or any other private business employee isnt valid. This is why what you are describing IS illegal in most places and why the punlic generally distrusts the police.

Where were u a police officer anyway? Im sure they wouldnt agree with you.

It isnít Illegal in the eyes of the Law it is a violation of Department Policy the two are VERY different. If you were ever to take a bribe that is Illegal in the eyes of the Law and a violation of Department policy as well. What is the business expecting in return? My answer would be in hopes that an increased lev el of Police presence keeps the bad guys away. As for faster Police response that may happen on small Department where they are not boggled down with call after call but a BIG Police Department in a BIG City a faster response time just is not going to happen. If someone does not give a discount when you are eating, getting coffee or water you still go there you just know you are not going to get a discount and just like the place that give a discount if and when they call the Police the Police will come as fast as calls allow us to. Each call is a given a number and that number indicates how fast we will respond to a call with violent crimes receiving top priority. I compared Verizon because they give discounts to Officers as well via the cell phone bill of 25% every month, so is Verizon bribing the Police Dept?

I was a Police Officer in South California with a sworn force of over 10,000.

Except that police officers are not private company employees. They are government employees who are tasked with providing service to everyone. The reason this sort of thing is ALREADY Illegal is what are these businesses that are giving you free shit expecting? A faster police response when they call? What about the business that pays its taxes but cant afford to give you free shit, do they get less service?

Comparing police to verizon or any other private business employee isnt valid. This is why what you are describing IS illegal in most places and why the punlic generally distrusts the police.

Where were u a police officer anyway? Im sure they wouldnt agree with you.

It isnít Illegal in the eyes of the Law it is a violation of Department Policy the two are VERY different. If you were ever to take a bribe that is Illegal in the eyes of the Law and a violation of Department policy as well. What is the business expecting in return? My answer would be in hopes that an increased lev el of Police presence keeps the bad guys away. As for faster Police response that may happen on small Department where they are not boggled down with call after call but a BIG Police Department in a BIG City a faster response time just is not going to happen. If someone does not give a discount when you are eating, getting coffee or water you still go there you just know you are not going to get a discount and just like the place that give a discount if and when they call the Police the Police will come as fast as calls allow us to. Each call is a given a number and that number indicates how fast we will respond to a call with violent crimes receiving top priority. I compared Verizon because they give discounts to Officers as well via the cell phone bill of 25% every month, so is Verizon bribing the Police Dept?

I was a Police Officer in South California with a sworn force of over 10,000.

The most common argument for the "no gratuity" policy is the slippery slope argument. The acceptance of even the smallest benefit will start an inevitable slide toward serious corruption. The only difference in accepting a cup of coffee or $1000 (in unmarked twenties) is the degree of wrongness. Once an officer gets in the habit of receiving things for free, it is easier to accept a large bribe.

I could not disagree with this anymore. A Police Chief is a Political position and a Police Chief will say what the public wants to hear. A Police Chief takes the view of the Mayor, The Police Commission and the public and not very often the view of the Officer. 99.9% of all of Police Chiefs rose up the ranks from recruit to Police Officer and they without a doubt accepted a gratuity so would this not make them a hypocrite? Are 99.9% of the Police Chiefs accepting bribes? Probably not, It is just the nature of the beast and the way things are and the way things will be for many years to come.

I have been out of town for a few days I will try and review and see what questions I missed.

Technically it is not within Department policy for any employee Civilian or Sworn to accept a discount of food or other items but it happens every day anyway. 7/11ís give out free coffee & water because they want Officers hanging out in their parking lot at night. I remember Best Buy used to sell us any product in their store for cost which means you got to purchase products before the markup. When Best Buy still had that discount for Officers I purchased a brand new Stove, Refrigerator & stacked washer/dryer including the extended 3 year warranty for under $1,000 retail it was probably $3,500.

So we have police officers, expected to uphold the law, doing something illegal. Fascinating.

So we have police officers, expected to uphold the law, doing something illegal. Fascinating.

Illegal is against the Law, taking advantage of a program that is in affect long before you came along is working the system in your benefit that the Department frowns upon is a Violation of Department policy. Chances are when you need an Officer to respond to your home or place of business when you call we will show up that is just the way it works. If Officer, Fire Fighters & Military personal are getting things for free is a shock to you I am not sure what to tell you.

Putting your job in danger for a donut doesn't sound particularly bright to me. Don't know what to tell you if you think that's wise.

You would not be risking your job accepting a gratuity is not a terminal offense. As I stated not sure how many more times I should state it, anyone on the Department from the Head of the Police Commission to the Mayor to the Chief of Police who says that have never accepted a gratuity is a liar and if enforced they are not only a liar but a hypocrite as well.